What About These Poll Numbers Do Dems Not Get?

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Kevin has already weighed in on this, but I think he might be sort of missing the point about the latest Washington Post health care poll. Kevin says the poll is a reminder that the GOP still has a “quieter, non-Fox wing that would like to see some things get done.”

But the far more noticeable thing about the graph is how committed Democrats are to moving forward on comprehensive health care reform. We should spell that out. These results are best understood in the context of Rep. Jay Inslee’s “finish the kitchen” metaphor. (People hate the “renovation” process to get to health care reform, but they’ll love the results.)

Everyone likes the sweet smell of success. People like winners. That 88 percent of Democrats is going to be pretty demoralized when the November elections roll around if their party can’t get the job done. But if the “kitchen” actually gets finished, and comprehensive health care reform passes, they’ll be excited—and so, quite possibly, will the 56 percent of Independents who think Congress should press on.

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